Speakers confirmed for Digital Construction Week line-up

6 Apr 2023

Digital Construction Week (DCW) – the UK’s leading event for innovation and technology in the built environment – has announced its programme for the upcoming show at ExCeL London on 17 – 18 May.

The CPD-accredited education programme at DCW is designed to keep visitors at the cutting-edge of innovation for the built environment. The show features 10 theatres that focus on some of the key areas shaping digital construction, including information management, asset management, geospatial, Net Zero, digital transformation and more.

The event boasts 300+ free-to-attend talks, workshops and demos delivered by expert speakers from across AECO. Attendees will be inspired by actionable insights, data-driven knowledge and practical advice from thought-leaders in the field.

Keep reading for some of the highlights from the programme.

DCW

Information Management Stage & Information Management Exchange (sponsored by UK BIM Framework and in partnership with nima)

The Information Management Stage (IMS) hosts a series of presentations and panel sessions looking at the benefits of the shift from BIM to Information Management. Topics include product data, interoperability, digital twins, net zero and the Golden Thread.

In Delivering valuable data, Government & Industry Interoperability Group (GIIG)’s Paul Wilkinson will cover the group’s Code of Practice for Technologies. He will present how the code can support procurement to improve data delivery, as well as how attendees can be a part of the future development of the code.

Digital Construction Award winner Emma Hooper, Associate Director and Head of R&D at Bond Bryan Digital, will help visitors gain an appreciation and understanding of information theory, and how it applies to construction. In Information chaos theory revisited – principles and concepts of Information Management, she will also cover what the future of information management may look like and if we are on the right path to achieving it.

Sector Lead at BSI, Dan Rossiter FCIAT’s session UK BIM Framework Overview will look at the role of the UK BIM Framework and how it supports government policy.

The Information Management Exchange (IMX) provides a space for attendees to network, share ideas and learn from one another. The informal and interactive format includes workshops, drop-in clinics, networking sessions, open mics and panel debates.

Speakers on the theatre include John Hall, Information Management Platform Implementation at GIIG. He will present The client Information Management Platform, outlining the benefits of the platform approach for client organisations.

Asset Management Stage (sponsored by Glider Technology)

Brand new for 2023, the Asset Management Stage is home to sessions and discussions that join the dots between the construction and operational phases. This includes asset handover, management, maintenance, and operation. Attendees will learn about the digitised information and strategies available and how they can improve the way assets are managed through their lifecycle.

BIM Manager at DAA, Michael Early, will present how to structure data for better project delivery in Airports of the future: How to mitigate risk and create greater certainty. Defining what data is meaningful for asset management to contractor and subcontractor partners will also be covered, as well as how to deliver projects digitally.

Shahida Rajabdeen looks after Standard Information Approach Implementation at GIIG. She will share what the Standard Information Approach is and how it can be applied within organisations in Standardising information requirements.

The Museum of London – Smart Delivery and Operation will be hosted by Irina Gales Senior Digital Construction Manager at Sir Robert McAlpine. This session will cover the project objectives, requirements, and the digital tools that have been selected to support the project’s delivery and clients aspirations to be “the Smartest museum in the world”.

Geospatial Theatre (sponsored by Pix4D and Murphy Geospatial)

The programme at the Geospatial Theatre goes beyond hardware, exploring the geospatial technologies that give us a precise understanding of the physical world, helping to solve some of the many challenges we find in the built environment. The stage will be busy with a stream of case studies, research projects and debates linked to location data and mapping, smart cities, estates management, the future of transportation networks, machine controls, the connected site and more.

In Embracing the 5th Dimension in AEC through a GeoBIM perspective GIS Analyst at Skanska UK, Izzy McLees, will demonstrate how GeoBIM can be used as an enhanced collaboration tool in both building and infrastructure projects.

Ezgi Şendil, Product Development Team Lead in a startup and a MSc. Student in Earthquake Engineering, will talk about the importance of pre-disaster planning in smart cities and the role of technology in enhancing disaster response efforts in Post-disaster management in smart cities.

The value of location data presented by Ordnance Survey’s Director of International, Juliet Ezechie, will uncover how location data can be used to benefit the construction industry in planning, stakeholder engagement, and emergency response.

Innovation Stage (sponsored by Sir Robert McAlpine)

The Innovation Stage at DCW is perfect for those interested in seeing some of the most exciting technological advances in construction and engineering. Learn through live demos and installations in robotics, additive manufacturing, UAV construction, wearable technology and much more.

How much data does AI need to improve your projects? Find out in Artificial Intelligence to predict future outcomes in Programmes, do we need big data? presented by Danilo Arba, Programme Director & PMO Lead LATAM, MACE Group. This session will provide real life case studies on the application of AI in PMO’s.

The role of generative AI in driving innovation in the built environment will be covered by Mar Zumaquero Gomez, Global Innovation Management Director at Arcadis. The impact of the ChatGPT revolution in the built environment is set to outline how this emerging technology can increase productivity, knowledge sharing and creativity among industry professionals.

If visitors wish to learn how contractor/GCs can access automation to build better, how to rethink the supply chain of construction or how a micro factory network can scale globally, then Mollie Claypool, CEO of Automated Architecture (AUAR), has the answers in Automating Architecture: Radically rethinking what and how we build.

People & Change Theatre (sponsored by Women in BIM)

The transformational nature of the digitalisation of the built environment requires focus in three key areas: people, process and technology. This is why it is important that the People and Change theatre returns in 2023. Sessions will focus on topics including behavioural change, how to embrace new ways of working, using tech to engage and communicate with staff, strategies for inclusivity, diversity, collaboration and wellbeing in the workplace.

Rudie Masukume, Community and Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Skills and Employment Officer at Costain Group will present More than bricks and mortar – Building up communities through major construction. She will discuss why transparency is key to making the most of achievements and future success, as well as engaging supporters and stakeholders through digital communications and practical example.

Diversity builds team strength, says Richard Gwilt, Digital Construction Manager at Kier. In his presentation Neurodiversity, the hidden me, Richard will uncover how disability highlights inefficiencies in current methods of working and why accommodation does not need to be daunting.

In Driving excellence in digital skills – A case for investment in people, Kirsti Wells, Business Development Manager at BSI Group, will highlight why implementing training within organisations, and expanding knowledge internally, will enhance collaboration and productivity.

Net Zero Stage (sponsored by Autodesk and in partnership with ZERO)

A huge shift towards achieving Net Zero is underway within all industries, and the built environment is no exception, echoed by the government’s plan to build back ‘better, faster and greener’. Sessions taking place on the Net Zero Stage, in partnership with ZERO, will help visitors navigate how digital tools, methods, and skills are improving the performance of projects and leading to lower emissions.

The five benefits of digital carbon tools will be outlined by Megan Greig, Senior Engineer at Elliott Wood in her presentation Sustainable construction in action – how the design office can cut carbon now. Attendees will learn how digital tools and ‘digital twins’ can help decide what materials can be re-used in a circular economy, with practical examples of how to make more informed and sustainable decisions during the design phase.

Johnathan Munkley, Co-Founder of ZERO Construct, will host an introduction to the ZERO Playbook, ZERO community, and its goals. He will also touch on how carbon, cost and net operating income are linked in We want a net zero emissions construction industry, do you?

Transformation Hub (sponsored by Nemetschek and Vectorworks)

Since its introduction in 2018, the Transformation Hub has helped companies and individuals embrace new ways of working by providing leadership and guidance on the implications of technology and innovation on their business. The Hub returns for 2023, boasting hand-picked panel discussions and presentations exploring business transformation, with a focus on the practicalities of digitalisation.

The role of data sharing to enable strategic outcomes will be discussed in How data can enable accelerated delivery of critical national infrastructure, hosted by Kevin Reeves, Industry Director – Energy & Utilities at Microsoft. Impacts of the 4th industrial revolution, and cross sector alignment of digital transformation will also be covered.

In Digital disruption of the construction industry, Huda As’ad, UKI Capital Projects Lead at Accenture, will outline the key ways in which the industry can improve efficiency and productivity through data insights.

Andrew Pryke, Managing Director at BAM Design and BAM Construct UK will present Platform 9 3/4 – Are we quite there for this digital construction journey. This session will define what a Platform is, what can be included in a Platform, and overcoming challenges.

These are just some of the hundreds of sessions on offer at Digital Construction Week this year. Browse the full programme at www.digitalconstructionweek.com/programme.